Y'all are absolutely, 100% right of course. Letting her branch out is fun to fantasize about. In real life, it's got "bad idea" written all over it.

So she's slimmer and sexy and more confident now than she was before. She can more easily get another guy if that's what she wants. The first line of defense is to be the better man, to give her attention without clinginess and be the kind of attractive, strong, loving guy she wants in her life and in her bed. When you get right down to it, the choice is hers; I can't really stop her if she wants someone else, I can only be a better version of myself so she can have a man she wants at home. So far so good on that score. She's happy, she's interested in me and attracted to me, she has fun with me, she's well taken care of physically and emotionally, and she'd have to be crazy to walk out as long as I stay on top of my game. Fortunately, she's not crazy.

Next, keep taking an interest in her activities without being controlling or needy. Shut up and listen... if she's still feeling connected to yours truly, she'll talk about anything and everything with a minimum of prompting as long as I'm interested. So stay interested and don't let her think she's at loose ends with no one at home caring about what she does. Check.

And don't let her think I could or would approve of anything untoward. Part of me thinks it would be sexy, but it would also be reckless, and I don't approve of her taking stupid risks like that with our health and our family. Convey that to her wholeheartedly. Start on that at the next opportunity.

Or else? Or else what? Good question. If I try bluffing, she'll see right through it.

If all that fails, and she falls for somebody else and closes her heart to me... then new tactics are needed.

Last edited by Crazy Eddie; 05/26/07 09:45 PM.
a fine and enviable madness, this delusion that all questions have answers, and nothing is beyond the reach of a strong left arm.